Electric switch.



E. H. JACOBS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPucATloN FILED APR.4.1910.

Patented June 22, 1915.

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ELECTRIC swncH.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 4. i910.

Patented June 22, 1915.

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ELECTRIC SWITCH. i

APPLICATION lFILED APR.4.1910.

1,144,038; Patented M522, 1915.

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Ilm/ENTER; ERNEET H JAEUEIE 'YMM f AT TY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST H. JACOBS, SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22, 1915.

T0 all who-m, t may concern Be it known that I, ERNEST H. JACOBS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to electric switches and .more particularly to Aelectric switches by means of which a circuit may be opened quickly and closed quickly, and the object of my invention is to provide a switch of this type in which the speed of opening and closing is independent of the speed of movement of the operating handle; in whichl the operating handle is disconnected from the c0n tacts and the switch opens automatically in case an effort is made to close the switch while conditions on the circuit are such that closing the switch produces a flow of current which is outside of certain predetermined limits; in which provision is made for automatically setting a no-voltage or underload release device, or simllar electroresponsive .protective device so that the operator need not handle the armature of the protective device in order to close the switch; and which in general is an improvement on switches of this type heretofore used.

In carrying out my invention, the contacts are connected to an operating member, such as a handle through an actuating mechanism normally latched in one of two extreme positions, and when the operating member is moved, a spring or similar device is put under tension and tends to move the actuating mechanism to operate the switch until, at a definite point in the movement of the operating member or handle, the actuating mechanism is released and under the pressure of the spring instantly closes or opens the switch, depending upon the directionof movement of the operating handle. Where the switch is provided with an underload or no-voltage release, the actuating mechanism lautomatically lifts the armature or core of the underload or no voltage magnet into such a position that if the conditions on the circuit are normal the magnet holds the armature when the switch is closed, and thereby permits the switch to remain closed. If

conditions are abnormal, the magnet lets able connection, such as a locking toggle, between the actuating mechanism and the contacts and causing the switch to open.

My invention will best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, which show one of the various forms in which my invention may be embodied, and in which- Figure l is a longitudinal section along the line 1-1 of Fig. 2 of one form of switch embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the switch shown in Fig. 1 with the cover removed to show the operating mechanism; Fig. 3 is a section on 'the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 4 is a section of Fig. 2 on the line 4 4 looking in the direction Aof the arrows; Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the position assumed by the parts when the switch is tripped open automatically.

The speciicform of switch shown in the drawings comprises a casing 1 which is closed by a cover 2, and which supports, by

means of swinging bolts 3 yand nuts 4, an oil' tacts, each pairv comprising a stationary contact 9. and a swinging contact blade 10 carried upon a suitable support on the insulating block 7.

Movement is imparted to the conta-ct blades 10y in any suitable way, preferably through insulating rods 1l of wood or other` suitable material, each of which is connected at one end to a contact blade and at the other end to a yoke 12, which in turn is secured to an arm 13 forming part of any suitable contact actuating member, such as a rock shaft 14 biased by means of a spring 15 to separate the contacts 9 and 10 and The contact controlling member or rock shaft 14 is actuated to give a quick motion to the contact blades 10 both in opening and in closing the switch by means of some su1table actuating mechanism, which will operate the contacts in both directions with a snap action and which is preferably connected to the rock shaft 14 through some form of collapsible connection which will permit the spring 15 to open the switch quickly when the connection is collapsed automatically. In the specific arrangement shown in the drawings, the rock shaft or contact controlling member is provided with an arm 17,

which is connected through an underset toggle 18 normally held rigid by a latch 19 to an actuating member 20 mounted to oscillate about the same axis as the rock shaft and preferably loosely mounted on the rock shaft as best shown in Fig. 2. When the actuating member 20 is moved in a clockwise direction and the collapsible -connection or toggle 18 is rigid, the contacts are brought into engagement and the switch is closed, while a counter-clockwise movement of the actuating member moves the rock shaft in the otherdirection to open lthe switch.y

In order to insure quick opening and quick closing of the switch the actuating member 20 is spring actuated in both directions and is held stationary by any suitable latching means until the spring is put under sufficient strain to move the actuating member at the desired rate of speed.

In the particular arrangement shown in the drawings, the actuating member 20 is provided at one end with a lug or projec-` tion 2l, which projects between the two ends of a coil spring 22 mounted on the rock shaft 14 to form a resilient connection between the actuating member 20 and an operating member 23, which is journaled in the side of the casing 2, and in the specific arrangement shown is provided with a recess in which oneend of the rock shaft 14 is loosely j ournaled. The extent of movement of the operating member 23 in either direction is limited by a stop 24 which projects from the side of the casing into the path of movement of the member 23. The operat ing member 23 is also provided with a projection 25, which extendsbetween the ends of the coilspring 22 in such a manner that when the operating member is moved the spring is put under strain and tends to rock the actuating member in the same direction. In order to store up sufficient energy in the spring 22 to give the vrrequired speed of movement to the contact of the switch, the actuating member is latched in either extreme position by suitable latches which normally hold the actuating member stationary, but which are shifted by a latch actuating projection 26 on the' operating m`ember to release the actuating member 20 after the operating member 23 has moved a predetermined distance.

In the specific arrangement shown in the drawings, both latches or detents 27 are mounted on a pivot 28 eccentric to the rock shaft 14 and preferably secured to the side of the casing, these latches or detents being in a position to engage a suitably shaped projection or lug 29 on the actuating member 20 and thereby hold said member stationary. Each latch is also provided with a,

cam surface 30 with which the latch actuating projection 26 on the operating member coperates, and a coil spring 31 connected to both latches as shown in the drawings tends to hold each latch in the latching position in which it will hold the actuating member 2O stationary.

The operation of the switch mechanism Y thus far described is as follows: When the.

switch is open, the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4, and if it is desired to close the switch the operating member 23 is moved in aclockwise direction, thereby putting the spring 22 under strain because the actuating member 20 is held stationary by one of the ber is transmitted to the contacts'or rock -As soon as the contact actuating member reaches the position shown in Fig. 1, the other latch swings into latching position and catches it, thereby locking the switch closed. If it is desired to open the switch, the operating member or handle ismoved from the position shown in Fig. 1in a counterclockwise direction. thereby setting the spring 22 under strain until by the time the operating member reaches the position shown in Fig. 3 thelatch actuating projection 26 engages the other latch, and as the operating member continues its movement, releases the latch, whereupon the spring 22 quickly throws the actuating member into the position shown in Fig. 4 and at the saine time separates the contacts at a high rate of speed.

It is desirable in switches of this kind t0 provide some automatic mechanism which will prevent the switch being closed unless conditlons on the circuit are normal, and 1n accordance with my invention I provide some electroresponsive tripping device to collapse the toggle 18, and thereby permit the rock shaft to move independently of the actuating mechanism. The specific arrangement shown in the drawing is an underload or 'no-voltage device for tripping the switch open in case the current or voltage is below a predetermined limit, and the device comprises av coil or solenoid 32 provided with a core 33 which will drop when the current through the solenoid decreases below a certain limit and will strike one end of a lever 34, the other end of which vengages the latch 19 and `thereby causes the toggle 18 to collapse. As a result of this construetion, if the switch is closed when either the voltage or the current through the circuit.

is too low, the core or armature 33 drops, the toggle 18 collapses, and the spring 15 quickly rotates the rock shaft 14 and thereby opens the switch regardless of the position of the actuating member.

In an electroresponsive device of the type shown in the drawing, normal current through the coil will not liftthe armature or core from the lowermost position, but

- will hold it in the position shown in the the pole piece and the core tubular and,

drawing. The armature or core must, therefore, be lifted into the position shown in the drawings when the switch is closed, and then if the conditions are normal, the core will be held up by the coil. In order to perform this operation automatically, I provide means, such as a lifting lever 35, whereby the actuating member 2O as it swings inl a clockwise direction to close the switch will lift the core or armature 32 into the position shown in the drawing, and will hold it in that position until the contacts are in engagement, whereupon the actuating member 20 releases the lever 35 and leaves the core orarmature 33 free to drop in case the current through the coil 32 is' below a predetermined limit, while if the current is normal the core will be held up and the switch remains closed. As a result of this construction, it is unnecessary fory the operator to lift the core or armature by hand when closing the switch.

Trip coils or solenoids are most eiicient when provided, as best shown in Fig. 1, with a fixed pole piece, such as the pole piece 36 with which thecore 33 can come into engagement, but when alternating current is used in such a solenoid a humming noise is produced, apparently owing to a variation at each cycle in the pressure between the core and the pole piece. In accordance with my invention, the humming noise ispracticallyv eliminated by making mounting a magnetic rod 37, preferably of iron or steel, to extend both through the core and the pole piece. The rod is of such a size that it fits loosely in the core and in the pole piece, and is of such a length that the core can drop freely into tripping position. The iron rod tends to form with the other parts of the solenoid a closed magnetic circuit, and experience has shown that the presence of the rod 37 materially reduces the humming noise of the trip coil or solenoid, while at the same time its action is as prompt and reliable as the action of the trip coils of the usual type.

It has also beenwfound advantageous, in order to reduce the heating of the coil and the humming noise, to slot both the pole piece and the core, and I have, therefore, shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 of the drawings the core and pole piece provided with slots 38, which may be of any suitable size or number.

My invention may be embodied in many other forms than that shown and described, and I, therefore, do not limit my invention to the precise arrangement shown, but aim in the appended claims to cover all moditications within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. An electric switch actuating mechanism comprising an operating member and an actuating member mounted side by side to oscillate in both directions independently of each other, a resilient connection between said members strained by the movement of said operating member in either direction, and latehing means controlled by a lug on said operating member for holding said actuating member in either opened or closed position against the strain exerted by said resilient connection.

2. In an actuating mechanism for electric switches, the combination with an operating member and an actuatingmember mounted side by side to oscillate in both directions independently of each other, and a lug on each member projecting toward the other member, of a springfor connecting the corresponding lugs on' said members, latching means for engaging another lug on said actuating member to hold said member in either open or closed position, and means on said operatingmember for cooperating with said latching means to release said actuating member.

3. An actuating mechanism for electric switches comprising an operating member and an actuating member mounted side by Side to oscillate about a common axis, a spring connected to said members and set under strain by relative movement thereof, two detents mounted on a common pivot for holding said actuating member in either open or closed position, and a projection on said operating member cooperating with 4 ber.

said detents to release said actuating mem- 4. In an actuatingmechanism for electric switches, the combination with` an operatin g member and an actuating member, both n mounted to rock on a common axis, of two switches, the combination of an operating member and an actuating member mounted to rock about a common axis and extending on both sides of said axis, each of said members having at the ends lugs which project toward the other member, the lugs on `said actuating member being at a greater distance from said axis than the lugs on saidloperating member, a spring cooperat-v ing with the adjacent lugs on one side of said axis to yieldingly hold said members in normal relation, a pivot mounted on the other side of said axis outside the arc of movement of the lug on said operating member and inside that of the lug. on said vactuating member, and two detents mounted on said pivots and biased to position to 4 catch the lug on said actuating member, each of said detents having a cam surface cooperating with the lug on said operating member to move either detent to release said actuating member.

6. In an actuating mechanism for electric switches, the combination with an operating member mounted to oscillate, and contactactuating mechanism comprising an actuating member, a contact controlling member, and a normally positive collapsible connection between said members, of a spring connection between said operating member and said actuating member set under strain by relative movement of said members, of means Jfor holding said actuating member under the tension of said spring, and electroresponsive means for controlling said collapsible connection.

7. In an actuating mechanism for electric switches, the combination with an operating member, an actuating member, and a contact controlling member, all mounted to oscilla-te about a common axis, of a resilient connection between said operating member and said actuating member, set under strain by relative movement of said members, a normally positive collapsible connection between said actuating member and said contact controlling member, latching means cooperating with said actuating member to hold said member in either open or closed position a ainst, the strain eX- erted upon it by sai resilient connection,

and electroresponsive means for collapsing Said contact controlling member, electro-f responsive tripping mechanism cooperating with said locking toggle, and latching means controlled by said operating member for holding said actuating member in either open or closed position against the strain exerted by said spring.

9. In an actuating mechanism for electric switches, the combination with an operating member mounted to oscillate, a contact controlling rock shaft mounted concentric with said member, an actuating member loosely mounted on said rock shaft, a resilient connection between said operating member and said actuating member set under strain by relative movement of said members, latching means controlled by said operating member for holding said actuating member in either open or closed position against the strain exerted by said resilient connection, a normally positive collapsibleA connection between said actuating member and said rock shaft, and means for collapsing said connection whereby said rocked shaft moves into switch opening position independent of said actuating member.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of April, 1910.

ERNEST H. JACOBS.

Witnesses:

HELEN Onroiu), BENJAMIN B. HULL. 

